The widow Le Sourd was soon established by the tall prosecutor as a citizen of good character, and she told her tale. With horror, Sophie heard her harmless expression of shock at the death of the Carmelites turned into an attack on the Revolution. But then, to her astonishment, she heard that she and her husband had told their laborers and tenants to join the rising in the Vendée.

“Your daughter was in the chapel with them when she heard these words?” the prosecutor asked.

“She was. She has a perfect memory, and she told me at once.”

“But this is absurd,” cried Sophie. “Let me call Father Pierre and he will tell you I said no such thing.”

“The prisoner will be silent,” said the judge.

“I may not be defended?”

“By the law of 22 Prairial, enacted by the Convention this year,” the judge intoned, “those brought before this court are not allowed any counsel for their defense.”

He turned to the jury.

“How do you find?” he asked.

“Guilty,” they said all together.

He nodded and turned back to Sophie.

“Citizen Sophie de Cygne,” he announced, “you are sentenced to death at the guillotine. The sentence may be carried out at once.”

And that was the end of the matter.

She had been sitting in a cell with Étienne and four other unfortunates for two hours when Dr. Blanchard appeared. The guard let Blanchard in and he embraced the de Cygnes warmly, but his face was grave. He knew already what the sentence of the court had been, and he told them that there was a priest visiting the prison, and that he would arrange for the priest to come to their cell, if they would like to see him.

Then Blanchard took Étienne to one side and whispered to him earnestly for a minute or two. Sophie could not hear what they were saying, but she saw Étienne nod. After this, Blanchard told her that there was another, empty cell nearby, in which he wished to see her alone, and calling the guard to open the door, he motioned her to follow him. Étienne told her she should go. So, still rather puzzled, she accompanied him.

Then he told her that he wished to examine her.

It was a long shot. He would have to be convincing. And it was not certain that the Tribunal would take any notice. But there had been a number of examples recently when they had canceled or deferred the execution of women who were pregnant. Even a stay of execution would be something. A delay might bring another chance of life, at least.

After returning Sophie to her cell, Blanchard went quickly out of the Conciergerie and across to the Palais de Justice. He had to wait an hour before the Tribunal would see him.

He knew how to speak to them. His tone was respectful, but professionally firm.